Long-Term Effects of Juvenile Arrest and Confinement on Adult Status Attainment

• In Event: Noncriminal Life Outcomes of At-Risk Youth

Abstract

Prior research indicates that juveniles who are involved in the justice system tend to experience disruption in early transitional achievements, such as high school completion and labor market entry. As a result of its impact on short- and medium-term outcomes, early justice system contact has the capacity to erode long-term commitments to conformity. The current analysis seeks to explore adult status attainments subsequent to juvenile involvement in the justice system. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth is used to study the acquisition and timing of life-course milestones into the late 20’s and early 30’s. Special attention will be devoted to a number of analytical challenges, namely, selection bias and attrition.

Authors

• Kathleen Powell, Rutgers University

• Robert Apel, Rutgers University